hand filing blades

3416 Views 32 Replies 20 Participants Last post by lawnworker, Jul 29, 2003

awm

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2003

this is not to tell anybody their buisiness... but if u are using a grinder of any kind.... do u self a favor and file just one by hand.... preferably start with a new blade.... u will be amazed at how long the sharp edge stays.... plus it takes about 3 minutes to put a new edge on once it finally begins to loose edge... u can do it on the mower on most machines.
been in it 30 yrs and while ive hand filed a bit ,i never really thot it could compare
as just the best way to get sharpness.../
i just didnt realize how well a true hand sharpened edge would stay sharp.... jmo
do or dont ,no matter to me.
ps these grinders are really ruining the blade metal.

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geogunn

· #2 · Jul 24, 2003

I have done it by hand file, bench grinder, and air powered mini-die grinder.

I can't say I noticed that much difference.

but I am sure that if the blade gets too hot with the grinder, it aint preferable.

with the hand file it was always easy to file to a point rather than all ascoss the flat pitch of the blade. and after a while this steepens the cutting angle of the blade.

someday I'll get a dedicated blade grinder.

GEO

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UGA

· #3 · Jul 24, 2003

Well AW,
You must be alot better with one than I am because (especially with the .240width blades) that would take me forever. I will agree that most grinders take off too much metal but as long as it takes to grind off enough to change I'll stick with it; I might try that hand grinding again this weekend just to see.
mark

ahah

· #4 · Jul 24, 2003

I used to hand file blades until I ended up having some tendons in my fingers sewed back together. Be sure and wear some heavy duty gloves.

GLAN

· #5 · Jul 24, 2003

problem with most of us the sharpen blades with a grinder is that we don't have a bucket of water next to us.

The overheating of metal softens it. That is why the edge of a grinder sharpened blade will not last as long as a hand sharpened blade. Unless, we drop it into a bucket of water during and after the sharpening.

Heck we change blades often enough that to resharpen is routine. As for the blades lasting, not important.

awm

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 25, 2003

i understand u guys answer ,as its typicle of whatmine would have been before trying it for a couiple of weeks.
as to how long it takes ,my blades get tickled every day,unless i have another reason to change,, wet weather or what ever....2-5 strokes on each edge and its a razor again... in fact it already was a razor but i just like to make sure its rite.
example ,yesterday i mowed about 7 hrs of large estates.,mostly... today i went and did 2 more lg properties then my daughters place... then i went to my largest property,,,several acres. i thinks well im gonna need to sharpen for sure after all this[a couple o these were 2 weekers,, i dread ]but the moneys good.
roll the front up on the ramp,and did touch them up. but all but 1 of them would have sliced a finger still .
now to me this is significant improvement over what the grinders edge would have looked like. been looking attum for yrs. boys its easier by far than pulling them and grinding.
still its just a post so whether u try it
is nothin to me. but if u do,stay with it for 2 weeks to get it down rite. then u will see what im talkin.

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GLAN

· #7 · Jul 25, 2003

I understand you awm

At this stage of the game. I can't expect my guys to file blades.

But what I might try doing is sharpen them on the grinder, finish them off by hand and try that for a while, and as I get them back just hand file

bastalker

· #8 · Jul 25, 2003

I have about 5 sets of blades for each mower....I dont think I'll file any of em. Usually about 30 seconds per blade with the grinder.

They get to the point where they cant be ground anymore, I'll just buy new ones. Usually after the 3rd time.

steve225

· #9 · Jul 25, 2003

I use a grinder but get the file out during the day and sharpen them on trailer like Awm did. I can do this 2-3 times before it's back to the grinder. Anyone who likes sharp blades give it a try .
It's a lot faster than changing them every day.

Steve Snider

Envy Lawn Service

· #10 · Jul 25, 2003

I used to sharpen new blades with a file before puting them on, then pull them daily and touch them up. I was never much with a grinder and I also found the edge didn't hold very long either.

However, this year I started having trouble with my hands. The steel is harder on the blades I use now and I'm running a 3 blade deck v/s a 2 blade deck from last year. So I would say that probably accounts for the hand trouble.

So I had to find an alternative. Now I sand an edge on the with a 4 1/2 angle grinder and a sanding disc. The results are great. Well except getting cut regular since I'm too stupid to wear gloves. Now all I have to do is a feel test daily. If they are not really sharp, I pull them and install a set that is. Meanwhile I take them to the bench and touch them up.

My mulch blades are sharpened to the center hole. I've found that only about the last inch needs anything most of the time. They hold an edge extremely well for a much longer time.

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Nebraska

· #11 · Jul 25, 2003

Sharpen them with the method that is the most efficient time and cost saving manner available all the while knowing that sharpening blades does not generate revenue.

UGA

· #12 · Jul 25, 2003

Originally posted by Nebraska
Sharpen them with the method that is the most efficient time and cost saving manner available all the while knowing that sharpening blades does not generate revenue.

Well I would say that not sharpening them will definitely cost me money (double cutting due to stringers or poor cut & having to go slower to get the same cut as with sharp blades). I think I probably do overkill on the sharpening but I never have to ask myself if my blades are sharp.

lawnboy

· #13 · Jul 25, 2003

Has anyone used those blade sharpening machines. I have heard those are pretty nice. Any opinions?

GLAN

· #14 · Jul 25, 2003

Blade Grinders are prime $

A 10 inch bench grinder is fine

the scaper

· #15 · Jul 26, 2003

bench grinder for me. whenever possible i try to let a machine do the work. the only thing i like to do by hand is sign the back of checks

GLAN

· #16 · Jul 26, 2003

Originally posted by the scaper
bench grinder for me. whenever possible i try to let a machine do the work. the only thing i like to do by hand is sign the back of checks

Use a pen?
Have the bank make a stamp

TLS

· #17 · Jul 26, 2003

Originally posted by the scaper
the only thing i like to do by hand is sign the back of checks

I have a self inking stamper for that! Haven't signed a check in 12 years.

As for hand filing....

Way too much work for me. But if it works and you like the results, knock yourself out!

I have touched up new blades with a hand file before. But often times they are so out of balance when new that I have to use the grinder.

Tharrell

· #18 · Jul 26, 2003

I cut grass and also work at a mower shop. You can get a good edge with a ginder and it doesn't take much time at all if you know what you're doing. Most people think their blades have to resemble their shaving razors. If you have the metal too thin at the edge, it won't last. They can be too sharp. Also, bump up to a 3/4 hp grinder or higher and build a solid stand. The metal for the stand shouldn't cost you more than 20-25 bucks.

awm

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 26, 2003

THARREL. if u did a search u would find that myself and eric elm had a debate about this very thing. me with your position. eric in favor of razors.
the difference i found later was the ground speed of the ztr.changes everything from mowing with a lt.
in short we were both rite ,me for what i was use to mowin with and eric forwhat he was use to mowing with.
i will add this. ill put the lasting power of my hand filed razor up against any
blade sharpened to old school methods.
thaT is why i posted to began with. it absolutely was a total surprize to me.
ill back it up if any body wants to see.

lawnworker

· #20 · Jul 26, 2003

I will agree with AWM on this. The cool edge of a file does not weaken the steel.

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